WNBA Suspends Las Vegas Aces' Coach Becky Hammon After Dearica Hamby's Complaint

Las Vegas Aces' coach Becky Hammon will start the WNBA season with a two-game suspension without pay.

A recent league investigation found that she had made inappropriate remarks to former Aces player Dearica Hamby when she was pregnant.

In a statement by the league, Hammon, 46, and the Aces organization have been found guilty of "violating league rules regarding impermissible player benefits," as well as violating the WNBA's Respect in the Workplace rules regarding "comments made by Hammon to Hamby in connection with Hamby's recent pregnancy."

The league also announced that the Aces are losing their 2025 first-round pick, as they already traded away 2024s for "promises of impermissible benefits" in salary negotiations with Hamby.

According to the WNBA, the investigation included 33 interviews with people close to the situation. A "review of numerous texts, emails and other documents" uncovered other individuals with "additional concerns about the conduct of the Aces during the most recent free agency period."

The league hasn't released additional information about Hammon's alleged misconduct. Still, Hamby spoke out about the incident on social media on January 21, the same day the complaint was filed and her trade happened.

Hamby released a statement on her Instagram page in January explaining what was happening. After expressing her love for the city of Las Vegas, her teammates, and fans, she revealed that "disgusting comments" were said to her.

"I gave everything I had, and until the disgusting comments made to me, I fought to stay here and tried to be amicable. Vegas is nothing without you all. I will not forget the good times and the journey to bring Las Vegas a championship," she wrote.

"You have helped make me who I am today. I never imagined going out like this, but you have inspired me in more ways than you will know."

The following slide in the carousel of photos told the story of her heartbreak.

"Being traded is a part of the business. Being lied to, bullied, manipulated, and discriminated against is not," she continued.

"I have had my character and work ethic attacked. I was promised things to entice me to sign my contract extension that was not followed through. I was accused of signing my extension knowingly pregnant. That is false. I was told that I was 'a question mark' and that it was said that I said I would 'get pregnant again,' and there was a concern for my level of commitment to the team."

Hamby said she was told she "didn't hold up my end of the bargain" because "no one expected me to get pregnant in the next two years."

"Did the team expect me to promise not to get pregnant in exchange for the contract extension? I was asked if I had planned my pregnancy. When I responded, 'no,' I was then told that I 'was not taking precautions not to get pregnant,'" she explained. "I was being traded because 'I wouldn't be ready, and we need bodies.' I planned to play this season and have expressed my desire to play this season."

On March 15, the WNBA star shared a video on Instagram announcing her baby's arrival, captioned, "Legend ?."

Tons of congratulatory messages filled the comment section. "Welcome to the world, Baby Legend ?✨," one follower wrote. Another added, "Welcome, Legend!! Congratulations mamas!!??"

In a more recent post shared in early May, Hamby announced her return to the court as a Los Angeles Sparks player captioned, "Might bend but I won't break ? year #9 ???"

Hamby's fans took to the comments to share their thoughts and continue to lend their support.

"Vegas misses you! Aces fans wish you nothing but the best! I'll be rocking my Signed Hamby jersey no matter what," one follower wrote.

Another person added, "Don't let them break you. You got this; I don't like what they did, but you're good. I'm rooting for you with your new team and start."